yearofthema

Hi guys, new here, thought I'd continue some good Giant Roam chat. I just bought a Roam 2 Disc 2018 a few months back, love it. Just interested to here what sort of upgrades or mods anyone has done with theirs?

I'm considering a few things. 1) Getting clipless pedals for it, look forward to that, just ordered from wiggle.

2) Has anyone considered lowering the handlebars? I've only just noticed the Roam has a few spacers under the handle bars to be lowered. I also have a road bike where I've taken some spacers out to give it a more aero dynamic position, however I've never really thought about this for the more mountain bike influenced Roam. Has anyone considered or done this? Will it be sacrificing the comfort unnecessarily?

3) Tyres are probably the only other thing I'd consider upgrading. It seeems pretty good as is to be honest, and I'm still relatively new to cycling so not sure if this is needed. How are the stock Roam tyres rated? I mean they seem fine so far though.

Maverick 13330

For #2 try to chop off atleast 1-2" of handlebar as well so your shoulder will not be squared against the headwind. Boxer bar end helps too so you can lean further down(forward) for decrease profile. And also flip the stem also.

ColonelSanders

After a few months, I'd upgrade to M590 cranks.


Lighter, stiffer, better looking.


When I upgraded my ugly Acera crank to the M590, I noticed a nice difference in stiffness, which helped in climbing.

yearofthema

Thanks for the tips. I did actually just drop one of the spacers. Doesn't feel hugely different, but I would say it helps with positioning when climbing hills, not too upright. Never considered the boxer bar ends. Seen them on bikes, but always thought a bit odd on flatbars, will consider.

What do you mean flip the stem?

Doctor Morbius

Doctor Morbius

My '11 Roam-2 after a few mods/upgrades.

Ergon grips
UN-73 bottom bracket
Deore 9-speed shifters
Deore crankset
Deore 9-speed rear derailleur
14t-25t 9-speed cassette
Selle Italia Promax saddle
Shimano Saint pedals (not shown in photo)
Alex AT 400 wheels
700x32 tires
all new cables
repacked hubs and headset bearings
flipped stem

JonnyVain

I have a 2013.

I put a rigid Surly fork on mine.

Richey stem that's lighter and shorter.

Race Face comp flat handlebar.

Deore xt rear derallieur. I have a 9 speed cassette and xt shifters I'll put on at a later date.

Clement mso xplor tires.

Imrider platform pedals

Esi chunky grips.

Weight went from around 32lbs to 27.6 lbs.

yearofthema

Nice tips guys. Thanks. What does flipping the stem supposedly do?

yearofthema

Nice looking thing isn't it even if it's 6-7 years old. Of course these days I love it with the disc brakes. What does flipping the stem do for you?

Maverick 13330

Better aero profile against headwind and better leverage during climbing.

Doctor Morbius

Thanks. She's the fastest hunk of junk in the neighborhood. This bike made the Kessel Run in less than 12 Parsecs.

king_boru

I've done many mods to mine.

1: Carbon fibre handlebar by Gravity.

2: Ergon GP2 grips with the stubby bar ends.

3: Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc brakes.

4: RaceFace Ride 1x crankset.

5: Shimano XTR rear derailleur (9 speed).

6: Continental Cyclocross Speed tyres.

7: Continental inner tubes.

8: New KMC X9 chain.

9: Changed the front suspension to a rigid Kenesis CX fork.

10: FSA 70mm stem.

11: Fizik Aliante saddle.

I think that's it,...

Everything has made it better for me. It is a joy to ride.

coominya

Just throw them in the bin, buy this straight bar and then cut it down to around 580mm or wherever your hands feel the most comfortable.

prq9218

Have you noticed a large difference in the change to a rigid fork? I'm noticing I'm not unlocking my suspension that much, and am considering changing it out.

king_boru

Steeper head angle which sharpened the steering. The stock suspension was quite terrible to be honest. I find the ride more comfortable now. The fork is quite compliant.

yearofthema

So you don't even have a Giant Roam anymore . Nice ideas and tips though, thanks.

king_boru

I guess not haha. It's a very good platform to build on though.

Maverick 13330

Last night I cant sleep. Thinking of something back from homeland. Went to the basement and saw a rigid fork(caliper type) bought for $5 3 weeks ago. I thought its about time to answer the question that always linger whenever i do a century gravel races. How fast this bike(Roam3) will make me if i dont have front suspension?
So at 1 o'clock in the morning I converted my hard tail bike into a Rigid one.



This is a temporary fork. My mind is divided whether to spend a hundred or two to buy a nice and decent looking fork or sell it and buy a used/brand new rigid bike.
BTW my bike's weight prior to conversion was 30lbs. Its now just down to 25lbs.

hokiefyd 

Cool! If you do buy a new fork, I recommend looking for a "suspension-corrected" one. Your temporary fork has an axle-to-crown distance that is likely 50-100mm shorter than your suspension fork (at full extension). A shorter distance here physically lowers the front of the frame and, as that happens, the head tube angle becomes steeper (more towards 90 degrees. This can sometimes make the bike feel a little odd.

Suspension-corrected forks are longer rigid forks that have a similar axle-to-crown distance as suspension forks so, after you swap, your geometry remains about the same.

Maverick 13330

This weekend ill do some touring. Probably abt 50-60miles of Gravel. My concern mostly is the clearance of the tip of the crank. From 5" it now become 3". Most Rigid fork convert dont state the changes down there. A simple turning in my neighborhood, my shoes already rubbing the surface.

If ever im going to spend money for fork, i'll limit the budget to just $120-$150. More than that ill say sayonara to the bike.

prq9218

How are you liking the drop bars with the geometry of the Roam?

breakwater

Has anyone put wider tires on their Roam yet? I'm wondering if I can put 700x45s on it?

fietsbob

measure the clearance, first.

king_boru

I've measured the frame and expect 50's to fit. 45's should be fine.

breakwater

Awesome news. Thanks! Of course that'll make me want 50s then. 😂